What Are Nutritive Herbs?
Nutritive herbs are a category of herbs that provide the body with an abundance of vitamins, minerals, chlorophyll, enzymes, and many other nutrients that are bio-available. You could think of these herbs as multivitamins or multi-minerals, but instead of isolated and synthetic forms of these nutrients, you're getting whole-food sources from herbs! Your body will better utilize vitamins and minerals from herbs grown in nutrient-rich soil vs. synthetic and isolated ones made in labs simply because that's the form they should be in. Also, every vitamin and mineral needs another one to perform its task in your body correctly, and the great thing about these herbs is they already have those just like nature intended.
Some herbs, like Nettles, have even more vitamins and minerals than vegetables. Unfortunately, they are shrugged off as weeds that need to be eradicated instead of being utilized as the nutritional powerhouses they are! Adding more vitamins and minerals to your diet through herbs will support immune function, bone health, energy levels, skin health, hormones, recovery time, digestive health, nervous system regulation, and so much more! Stick around to learn more about specific herbs in this category and how they can support you.
Best Way To Prepare Nutritive Herbs
Most of the vitamins and minerals in the herbs are water soluble, and because of this, preparing your nutritive herbs as a tea infusion is one of the best ways to get their abundance. A standard infusion is one tablespoon of dried herb or two tablespoons of fresh herbs for every cup of water. Heat can destroy some of these nutrients, so I recommend using water that doesn't boil. I typically infuse my herbs in water that is 170 degrees and teems to make a great infusion. Suppose time permits; let your infusion steep in the water for at least 4 hours or overnight for a potent infusion. Drink these infusions often for longevity! You can get our nutritive blend here: Mineral Tonic Tea Blend – avery apothecary.
Another solvent that extracts these nutrients well is vinegar. Apple cider vinegar is a popular choice, but any vinegar will do. If you're using dry herbs, fill your jar half; if you're using fresh herbs, you can fill your jar up all the way. Next, pour your vinegar over the herbs so it rises above them by at least an inch. Cover and store in a cool, dry area away from light for at least two weeks but up to several months. Once you have strained the herbs from the vinegar and stored them in the refrigerator, dry herb infusion will have a much longer shelf life than fresh. After 6 months, just do a sniff and visual check! You can add this vinegar to dressings, take them by the tablespoon, add them to broths, make an oxymel by combining them with honey, add them to mocktails, and the list goes on and on! Another way to prepare these herbs is as food! They can be substituted wherever you use leafy greens, made into pesto, thrown into smoothies, or nibbled fresh! Get creative! The possibilities are endless for incorporating these nutritive-rich herbs into your everyday life.
Nutritive Rich Herbs
The great thing about these herbs is that most are weeds and probably grow in your area! Of course, before harvesting any of them, ensure you have a positive ID and that they haven't been sprayed with pesticides or herbicides. You may also have different species of these plants in your area, so getting a field guide is always a wise choice if you harvest them yourself.
1. Nettle, Urtica diocia-
Nettles are exceptionally high in calcium and Iron, which helps keep the bones healthy in things like osteoporosis, and iron is excellent for building the blood. I especially love nettles for pregnant mothers. Nettle is also high in fiber, protein, vitamin K, vitamin A, potassium, bioflavonoids, ascorbic acid, and chlorophyll. The leaf is used for this nutritive action, but be careful when harvesting because it stings! Harvest the young leaves from healthy soil and dry them to use in infusions or add to vinegar. If you want to eat them fresh, blanch them beforehand. Never eat them without doing this!
Commonly known as a tremendous lymphatic system herb, it contains nutrients like potassium, phosphorus, calcium, and niacin. It is specifically high in isoflavones, which can significantly benefit women's hormones. The blossoms are used and can be utilized fresh or dry!
3. Rosehips, Rosa spp.-
Nature's vitamin C! There isn't a better source! Rosehips also contain vitamins and minerals like magnesium, potassium, quercetin, and vitamin A. The bonus is that it tastes so great! Rosehips are the fruit of roses. They will contain the most vitamin C prepared fresh,h but you can still get a rich cup of tea when it's dried. It is commonly said to be best harvested after the first frost.
4. Horsetail, Equisetum arvense-
Gathered in the spring, horsetail grows in wet areas, often alongside streams. Horsetail is a rich source of silica, which is great for bones, hair, nails, and teeth! You want to harvest horsetail in spring and early summer before the silica begins to crystalize.
5. Oats, Avena Sativa-
You can also get a nutrient-rich tea from the plant where you get your delicious oatmeal! While the milky oat seeds are excellent for the nervous system, the oat straw (the dried stems) is high in zinc, calcium, B vitamins, protein, iron, and magnesium. Use the dry stems as a nutritive addition to any tea!
To get all these herbs in one check, check out our Mineral Tonic Tea for all your daily nutritive needs! Mineral Tonic Tea Blend – avery apothecary
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